William Schuman (1910-1992) was an American composer and arts administrator, one of the central figures in mid-century American music. Born in New York, he studied privately and later became president of the Juilliard School and Lincoln Center.

His works include symphonies, concertos, choral music, chamber pieces and the New England Triptych, based on music by William Billings. His orchestral music was widely championed by American conductors.

Schuman’s style is energetic, contrapuntal and strongly architectural, with bold rhythms and clear public force. It gives American symphonic writing a muscular twentieth-century profile.

As both composer and institution-builder, Schuman shaped the musical landscape around him. His music has civic confidence, sharp elbows and a clean modern outline.